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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match2024 is now complete, so this is a retrospective rather than an upcoming-release list. It was an unusually broad year for games, producing major RPGs, inventive indies, excellent co-op, Nintendo adventures, platformers, remakes, and high-profile expansions.
If you want the shortest possible answer, start with Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Balatro, Helldivers 2, Black Myth: Wukong, Silent Hill 2, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree was also one of the year’s most important releases, but it is an expansion rather than a standalone game.
This guide separates full new games from sequels, remakes, remasters, ports, expansions, live-service launches, and early-access releases. Dates and platforms refer to the 2024 launch unless stated otherwise; later ports and subscription changes may alter where a game can be played now.
Updated August 10, 2026: This guide was originally framed as a 2024 preview. It has been revised to show what actually released, what launched unfinished or as an expansion, and which prominent games were delayed out of the year.
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The essential 2024 games
There is no single objective definition of the best game of the year. Review averages, awards, originality, accessibility, replayability, platform availability, technical performance, and whether a game was complete at purchase all matter. The selections below are therefore recommendations, not a rigid ranking.
#1 Best Overall
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Astro Bot finished 2024 with a 94 Metacritic score and won The Game Awards’ Game of the Year. Those are useful markers of consensus, but they do not make every other game on this list less worthwhile: Balatro may be a better choice for a strategy fan, while Helldivers 2 is the obvious pick for a group of friends.
For context, see Metacritic’s 2024 rankings and The Game Awards’ 2024 results. Scores and awards are evidence of reception, not substitutes for explaining who a game suits.
Astro Bot — best all-purpose recommendation
- Released: September 6, 2024
- Launch platform: PlayStation 5
- Status: New standalone platformer
- Best for: Almost anyone who enjoys polished 3D platforming, collectibles, inventive level design, and a welcoming difficulty curve
Astro Bot is the clearest broadly appealing game of 2024. Its levels continually introduce new ideas, its presentation is exceptionally polished, and it makes particularly good use of the PS5 DualSense controller. It is also a useful recommendation for families and newcomers because it does not require knowledge of another series.
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Do not confuse it with the earlier PlayStation VR game Astro Bot Rescue Mission. This 2024 release is a separate, non-VR PS5 adventure. It was a PS5 exclusive at launch, so Switch, Xbox, and PC owners need another pick.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth — best large cinematic RPG
- Released: February 29, 2024
- Launch platform: PlayStation 5
- Status: Sequel and second part of a multi-game remake project
- Best for: Players who want a long, character-driven RPG with exploration, real-time combat, minigames, and a large cinematic story
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth expands the ideas introduced in Final Fantasy VII Remake into a much broader adventure. It combines a large explorable world with party-based combat, optional activities, and a central story built around the characters and events of the original Final Fantasy VII.
It is not the best starting point for the remake project. Play Final Fantasy VII Remake first if possible; Rebirth assumes familiarity with its characters, altered storyline, and ending. The official PlayStation announcement is available through PlayStation Blog.
Metaphor: ReFantazio — best new traditional-style RPG
- Released: October 11, 2024
- Launch platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Status: New intellectual property
- Best for: Players who like turn-based combat, party building, social relationships, time management, and ambitious fantasy settings
Created by key developers associated with Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5, Metaphor: ReFantazio transfers familiar social-simulation and calendar ideas into a fantasy world. Its combat is turn-based, but the broader structure asks the player to decide how to spend limited time while developing relationships, abilities, and the party.
This is a new IP, not a Persona sequel and not a fantasy reskin of an existing story. That makes it easier to recommend to newcomers than a direct continuation, although its length and systems still demand a substantial time commitment. Release information came from Xbox Wire and Sega.
Balatro — best indie and best game for short sessions
- Released: February 20, 2024
- Launch platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox
- Status: New standalone roguelike deck-builder
- Best for: Strategy players, commuters, and anyone who wants a game that can be played in short bursts but rewards long-term mastery
Balatro turns poker hands into the foundation of a roguelike deck-building system. You do not play a conventional casino game, and success is not simply about knowing poker: the central challenge is combining cards, jokers, modifiers, and scoring effects into increasingly powerful strategies.
Its rules are approachable, but the combinations become deep enough to support repeated runs. It is single-player, compact, and unusually easy to recommend to someone who does not have time for a 60-hour RPG. The Steam listing provides the PC release information.
Helldivers 2 — best co-op game
- Released: February 8, 2024
- Launch platforms: PlayStation 5 and PC
- Status: Online co-op live-service launch
- Best for: Two to four friends who want chaotic third-person combat and shared objectives rather than a traditional solo campaign
Helldivers 2 is built around four-player online missions, friendly fire, extraction, and a wider community campaign that changes as players complete objectives. Accidental team kills and improvised rescues are not edge cases; they are central to the game’s appeal.
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Black Myth: Wukong — best mythological action RPG
- Released: August 20, 2024 on the announced schedule; Steam displays August 19 because of release timing
- Launch platforms: PlayStation 5 and PC
- Status: New standalone action RPG
- Best for: Players interested in challenging combat, spectacular bosses, and Chinese mythology
Black Myth: Wukong was one of 2024’s most prominent new releases. It draws from Journey to the West and presents a visually ambitious action RPG centred on the Destined One, transformation abilities, exploration, and boss encounters.
The difference between August 19 and August 20 is a platform-timing issue rather than necessarily a contradictory release date: the public announcement used August 20, while the Steam store page shows August 19. Xbox was not part of the original 2024 launch. Treat it as a demanding action game, not automatically as a conventional open-world RPG or a direct copy of any one Soulslike.
Silent Hill 2 — best horror release
- Released: October 8, 2024
- Launch platforms: PlayStation 5 and PC
- Status: Full remake
- Best for: Players who want slow-burn psychological horror, oppressive atmosphere, exploration, and a story-led experience
The 2024 Silent Hill 2 is a substantial remake of the landmark psychological-horror game, with modern presentation and redesigned exploration. It is not a new story in the sense of a new intellectual property, and it is not action-horror built around constant combat.
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Rank #2
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Expect deliberate pacing, disturbing imagery, puzzles, and a story that rewards attention. Prior experience with the 2001 original is not required, although returning players will notice its reinterpretations. Konami’s announcements and product information are available at Konami’s news page and the official product page.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — best Nintendo adventure
- Released: September 26, 2024
- Launch platform: Nintendo Switch
- Status: New Zelda adventure
- Best for: Nintendo players, puzzle fans, families, and anyone interested in a systems-driven Zelda game
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom makes Zelda the playable lead and builds its puzzles and combat around creating echoes of objects and creatures. That central ability makes it different from the sword-focused structure many players associate with the series.
It is not a direct sequel to Tears of the Kingdom. Readers expecting another large open-world game should instead expect a more compact, puzzle-driven adventure built around experimentation. Nintendo’s announcement is available at Nintendo.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown — best action-platformer
- Released: January 18, 2024
- Launch platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Luna
- Status: New standalone series revival
- Best for: Players who enjoy precise platforming, ability-based exploration, and Metroidvania-style progression
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown broadened the series beyond its older 3D format. Its action-platforming, movement abilities, map exploration, and return-to-previous-area structure make it a strong recommendation for players who want something more focused than an open-world blockbuster.
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Strong genre and platform picks
These games are not lesser releases; they are more targeted recommendations. Each has a clear audience or a caveat that makes it less universal than the essential shortlist.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
- Released: March 22, 2024
- Platforms at launch: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Best for: Open-world action-RPG players who value emergent encounters, unusual systems, and AI-controlled companions called Pawns
- Caveat: Performance and design friction prevent it from being a universally polished blockbuster
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is at its best when its systems produce an unexpected story: a companion learns from the party, an enemy interrupts a journey, or an ordinary expedition turns into a dangerous rescue. It is less suitable if you want a perfectly signposted open world or a frictionless quest structure. The launch platform information is listed by PlayStation.
Rise of the Ronin
- Released: March 22, 2024
- Platform at launch: PS5
- Best for: Players seeking combat-heavy historical action RPGs from Team Ninja
- Caveat: The combat is a stronger reason to play than the uneven open-world presentation
Rise of the Ronin combines weapon-focused combat, historical Japan, faction choices, and open-world activities. It was a PS5-only release at launch. Team Ninja’s release announcement is on PlayStation Blog.
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- Released: April 26, 2024
- Platform at launch: PS5
- Best for: Players who want character-action combat, science-fiction spectacle, and a console-focused presentation
- Caveat: It is a PS5 exclusive at launch, and its tone and character design will not suit every player
Stellar Blade is a combat-led science-fiction adventure with a strong emphasis on timing, encounters, and visual spectacle. It is better described as a character-action game with RPG elements than as a traditional open-world role-playing game. The launch announcement is available from PlayStation Blog.
Hades II — best early-access game
- Entered Early Access: May 6, 2024
- Platforms in 2024: Steam and Epic Games Store
- Status: Early access, not a finished 1.0 release
- Best for: Players who enjoy replayable roguelike combat, gradual progression, and a story that develops over repeated attempts
- Caveat: The full story and true ending were not available in 2024
Hades II was already a compelling roguelike in Early Access, but buying it in 2024 meant accepting an evolving product. Supergiant explicitly explained that the game would grow through Early Access and would not yet contain its true ending. Read the developer’s Early Access announcement before treating it as a completed sequel.
Manor Lords — best early-access strategy game
- Entered Early Access: April 26, 2024
- Platform in 2024: PC
- Status: Early access city-builder and strategy game
- Best for: Players who want medieval settlement management combined with large-scale battles
- Caveat: Missing content, balance changes, bugs, and major revisions are part of the purchase decision
Manor Lords combines village planning, resource management, regional expansion, and tactical medieval warfare. Its appeal is the connection between a settlement’s economy and the army it can support, but Early Access means it should not be sold as a finished strategy campaign. Check the Steam listing and the developer’s official FAQ for the appropriate expectations.
Animal Well
- Released: May 9, 2024
- Platforms: PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC
- Status: New standalone indie exploration game
- Best for: Players who prefer compact, mysterious exploration and environmental puzzle-solving
- Caveat: Its deliberate opacity can frustrate anyone looking for a clearly explained story or constant direction
Animal Well rewards observation and experimentation rather than handing the player a conventional quest list. It is a good choice when you want an unusual indie game that can occupy a handful of focused sessions, but less suitable if you dislike secrets and indirect communication.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Released: May 21, 2024
- Platforms at launch: Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Status: Linear narrative action game
- Best for: Players seeking a short, cinematic, performance-driven experience
- Caveat: It is not a large RPG or a systems-heavy open-world game
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II prioritizes atmosphere, audiovisual presentation, and a focused journey over side quests and extensive character progression. It is particularly attractive to Xbox and PC players who want a cinematic game rather than a huge time commitment. Xbox’s launch information is available in the official launch post.
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Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Released: May 23, 2024
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Status: Remake of the 2004 GameCube RPG
- Best for: Players who want an accessible, humorous, turn-based Mario adventure
- Caveat: It is a remake, not an entirely new Paper Mario entry
The Switch version preserves the charm and turn-based structure that made the GameCube original a favourite while presenting it to a new audience. It is a strong Nintendo recommendation, but its classification matters: someone searching only for new intellectual properties should look elsewhere. Nintendo included the release in its 2024 Mario announcement.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released: January 26, 2024
- Platforms at launch: PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
- Status: Sequel
- Best for: Players wanting a very large, character-driven RPG with turn-based combat and abundant side activities
- Caveat: Familiarity with the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series adds considerably to the story
Infinite Wealth is a substantial commitment and an especially good fit for players who enjoy dramatic main plots sitting alongside eccentric minigames and side stories. Newcomers can play it, but the character history is much richer if they have played earlier entries.
Tekken 8 and Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Tekken 8 released on January 26 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It is a strong choice for fighting-game newcomers because of its story and training content, while its long-term appeal comes from online competition. Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO arrived on October 11 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It is better suited to anime fans who want a large roster and spectacle-heavy battles than to players seeking a traditional tournament fighter.
Best games by genre
These category picks answer a more useful question than simply asking which game had the highest score: what should you play if you already know the kind of experience you want?
| Category | Pick | Why | Consider instead if… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best RPG | Metaphor: ReFantazio | A new world, turn-based combat, social systems, and a complete full-release structure. | You specifically want the established Final Fantasy VII cast and a larger explorable world; choose Rebirth. |
| Best co-op | Helldivers 2 | Four-player missions, friendly fire, evolving community objectives, and memorable shared disasters. | You need offline or solo-first play; this is online-dependent. |
| Best platformer | Astro Bot | Polished 3D movement, creative stages, and broad accessibility. | You do not own a PS5; try Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for precision platforming across more systems. |
| Best indie | Balatro | Easy to begin, deep to master, inexpensive in time commitment, and highly replayable. | You want exploration and environmental secrets rather than numerical strategy; choose Animal Well. |
| Best action RPG | Black Myth: Wukong | Mythological setting, striking presentation, and demanding boss-focused combat. | You prefer emergent open-world systems and companions; choose Dragon’s Dogma 2. |
| Best horror | Silent Hill 2 | Psychological dread, atmosphere, and a carefully reworked classic. | You want a new story rather than a remake, or dislike slow-burn horror. |
| Best Nintendo game | The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | A creative echo system and Zelda as the playable lead. | You want a remake of a traditional Mario RPG; choose Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. |
| Best strategy or simulation | Manor Lords | Settlement construction and medieval warfare are connected in an appealing way. | You only want finished games; it was Early Access in 2024. |
| Best expansion | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | A major expansion with new areas, enemies, story, and progression. | You do not own or want to complete the original Elden Ring; it is not a standalone purchase. |
| Best short cinematic experience | Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II | A focused, audiovisual narrative rather than a huge open-world commitment. | You want extensive systems, side quests, or replayability. |
The 2024 release calendar
The following is a curated calendar of notable releases rather than every game launched during the year. It uses the announced or listed 2024 date and identifies expansions and Early Access. For broader month-by-month schedules, compare Game Informer’s 2024 calendar, GameSpot’s release schedule, and PC Gamer’s PC calendar.
Date warning: release dates can differ by region, storefront, midnight launch timing, and platform. The clearest example is Black Myth: Wukong, whose public announcement used August 20 while Steam displayed August 19. Platform entries below describe the 2024 launch, not necessarily every platform that received a later port.
| Month and date | Game | 2024 launch platforms | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 18 | Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown | PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Luna | Full release |
| January 26 | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Sequel |
| January 26 | Tekken 8 | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Full release |
| February 2 | Persona 3 Reload | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Remake/reimagining |
| February 8 | Helldivers 2 | PS5, PC | Online co-op live-service launch |
| February 16 | Skull and Bones | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Online live-service launch |
| February 20 | Balatro | PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox | Full release |
| February 22 | Pacific Drive | PC, PS5 | Full release |
| February 29 | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | PS5 | Sequel/remake project |
| March 20 | Alone in the Dark | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Reimagining |
| March 22 | Dragon’s Dogma 2 | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Full release |
| March 22 | Rise of the Ronin | PS5 | Full release |
| March 22 | Princess Peach: Showtime! | Switch | Full release |
| April 23 | Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | Full release |
| April 25 | Another Crab’s Treasure | PC and consoles | Full release |
| April 26 | Stellar Blade | PS5 | Full release |
| April 26 | Manor Lords | PC | Early Access |
| May 6 | Hades II | PC via Steam and Epic Games Store | Early Access |
| May 9 | Animal Well | PS5, Switch, PC | Full release |
| May 21 | Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II | Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming | Full release |
| May 23 | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | Switch | Remake |
| May 27 | The Rogue Prince of Persia | PC | Early Access |
| June 14 | Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance | Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Expanded edition |
| June 18 | Still Wakes the Deep | PC and Xbox platforms | Full release |
| June 21 | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree | PC, PlayStation, Xbox | Expansion |
| June 27 | Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD | Switch | Remaster |
| July 2 | The First Descendant | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Free-to-play live-service launch |
| July 17 | Nobody Wants to Die | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Full release |
| July 19 | Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess | PC, PlayStation, Xbox | Full release |
| July 19 | EA Sports College Football 25 | PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Sports release |
| August 1 | Thank Goodness You’re Here! | PC and consoles | Full release |
| August 19/20 | Black Myth: Wukong | PS5, PC | Full release; storefront timing differs |
| August 23 | Concord | PS5, PC | Live-service launch; later delisted and shut down |
| August 30 | Star Wars Outlaws | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Full release |
| September 6 | Astro Bot | PS5 | Full release |
| September 9 | Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Full release |
| September 18 | UFO 50 | PC | Full release |
| September 20 | Frostpunk 2 | PC at launch | Full release |
| September 26 | The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | Switch | Full release |
| October 8 | Silent Hill 2 | PS5, PC | Remake |
| October 11 | Metaphor: ReFantazio | PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | New IP |
| October 11 | Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Full release |
| October 17 | Super Mario Party Jamboree | Switch | Full release |
| October 25 | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Full release |
| October 25 | Sonic X Shadow Generations | PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC | Remaster/expanded release |
| November 7 | Mario & Luigi: Brothership | Switch | Full release |
| November 14 | Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake | PC and consoles | Remake |
| November 19 | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | PC, Xbox Series X|S | Full release |
| November 20 | Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl | PC, Xbox Series X|S | Full release |
| December 6 | Marvel Rivals | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S | Free-to-play live-service launch |
| December 6 | Path of Exile 2 | PC and consoles | Early Access |
| December 9 | Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming | Full release; day-one Game Pass launch |
| December 12 | The Spirit of the Samurai | PC | Full release |
Nintendo’s dates for Echoes of Wisdom, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, and Super Mario Party Jamboree were confirmed in its June 2024 Direct information. Xbox confirmed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for December 9 on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with day-one Game Pass availability, in its Gamescom recap.
Expansions, remakes, ports, and re-releases
A release calendar becomes misleading when every item is treated as a brand-new game. The following releases were important in 2024, but their status should be visible before a reader spends money or time on them.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree — the essential expansion
Shadow of the Erdtree requires the original Elden Ring. It adds a substantial new area, story content, enemies, bosses, equipment, and progression, making it one of the year’s biggest gaming events without becoming a standalone game. Metacritic lists it separately in its 2024 rankings, which is one reason a best-games guide needs an explicit expansion category.
Recommendation: buy it if you already enjoy Elden Ring and want more of its demanding exploration and combat. Do not buy it expecting an independent entry that can be played without the base game.
Notable remakes and expanded editions
- Silent Hill 2: a full remake of a landmark psychological-horror game.
- Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door: a remake of the 2004 GameCube RPG.
- Persona 3 Reload: a remake/reimagining of Persona 3.
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered: a remaster, not a new sequel.
- Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition: a PC port and bundled edition of an existing game.
- Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance: an expanded version of an existing RPG rather than a wholly new numbered entry.
- Beyond Good & Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition: a re-release.
- Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD: a remaster of an earlier game.
- Sonic X Shadow Generations: an expanded remaster-style release combining existing material with new Shadow content.
- Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake: a modern remake of a classic RPG.
These can be excellent purchases. The classification simply tells the reader whether they are buying a new story, a new presentation of an old one, or a larger edition of a familiar game.
Games available in 2024 but not finished at launch
Early Access is not a quality verdict. It is a statement about the product’s state and the buyer’s expectations. An Early Access purchase may be worthwhile, but it can include missing content, bugs, balance changes, resets, and an incomplete story.
- Hades II: entered Early Access on May 6 through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Supergiant said the game would continue to grow and would not yet contain its true ending.
- Manor Lords: entered PC Early Access on April 26, combining settlement management and medieval battles.
- The Rogue Prince of Persia: entered PC Early Access on May 27.
- Path of Exile 2: entered Early Access on December 6 rather than arriving as a finished full release.
- Enshrouded: remained an Early Access survival and building game during the 2024 period.
- Abiotic Factor: was also an Early Access option for players interested in co-op survival and crafting.
If you dislike unfinished games, do not count Hades II or Manor Lords as completed 1.0 releases when planning a 2024 shortlist. If you enjoy watching a game develop and are comfortable with changes, they are among the more interesting early-access choices.
Rank #4
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Major 2024 games that were delayed
A final retrospective should record what did not arrive. Preview articles often preserve an old year long after a publisher has moved the date, so a game once advertised for 2024 should not be included in the final release list unless it actually launched that year.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows was initially announced for November 15, 2024. It was moved first to February 14, 2025, then to March 20, 2025. It belongs in a delayed-expectations section, not among games released in 2024. The original announcement and final date are documented by Xbox Wire and Ubisoft.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II was associated with a 2024 window in earlier expectations but ultimately released in February 2025. It should therefore be described as a delayed 2024 expectation, not a 2024 release.
Avowed
Avowed was widely expected to be part of the 2024 Xbox slate, but it moved to 2025. The Xbox Developer Direct illustrates why a showcase appearance or broad annual slate is not the same thing as a locked release date.
Other titles that should not be called 2024 releases without a confirmed launch
Older preview material also attached 2024 expectations to The Wolf Among Us 2, Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines 2, Ark 2, Dune: Awakening, Pragmata, Judas, Marathon, Beyond Good and Evil 2, and Crimson Desert. A year mentioned in an announcement is not proof of a release. Use a confirmed date, a publisher statement, or a current store listing before putting any of them into a final 2024 calendar.
Best 2024 games by platform
Best PS5 games
PS5 owners had one of the strongest first-party and console-exclusive selections of the year. Start with Astro Bot for platforming, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for a major RPG, Stellar Blade for character-action combat, Rise of the Ronin for historical action RPG combat, or Silent Hill 2 for horror. Helldivers 2, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and Black Myth: Wukong add strong cross-platform options.
When using the word exclusive, qualify it as exclusive at launch. Later PC ports, console versions, and platform agreements can change the meaning of an old release guide.
Best Xbox and Game Pass choices
Xbox players can look to Metaphor: ReFantazio for a new fantasy RPG, Dragon’s Dogma 2 for emergent open-world action, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II for a short cinematic experience, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl for survival horror and exploration, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for an adventure game. Tekken 8, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, and Marvel Rivals cover competitive and online play.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was advertised as a day-one Game Pass release. Subscription inclusion is a launch-period fact, not a permanent guarantee: catalogue availability, service tiers, and regional access can change, so check the current Xbox listing before relying on it. The same caution applies to any mention of Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, Ubisoft+, or another subscription.
Best Nintendo Switch games
Switch owners should begin with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom if they want a new adventure, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door if they want a remake of a beloved RPG, or Balatro if they want portable strategy. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Princess Peach: Showtime!, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Mario & Luigi: Brothership, and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake provide more focused options.
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Best PC games
PC players had access to nearly every major cross-platform recommendation, including Balatro, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, Animal Well, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. PC was also the home of notable Early Access releases such as Hades II, Manor Lords, The Rogue Prince of Persia, and Path of Exile 2.
Performance can vary significantly across PC hardware. A recommendation based on reviews or awards does not guarantee that a particular graphics card, processor, or display configuration will deliver the same experience.
Best games for playing with friends
Choose Helldivers 2 if you want a co-op game built around shared online missions and unpredictable teamwork. Choose Super Mario Party Jamboree for local and family-friendly party play. Tekken 8, Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, and Marvel Rivals are better for competitive or versus-minded groups. Always check whether the game requires an online subscription, a persistent connection, or a current server population.
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How to choose if you have limited time or money
If you want one game only
- Choose Astro Bot for the safest broad recommendation on PS5.
- Choose Balatro if you want flexible sessions and high replayability across several platforms.
- Choose Metaphor: ReFantazio if you want a new, long-form RPG and have the time to learn its systems.
- Choose Helldivers 2 only if you have friends or are happy playing an online co-op live service.
- Choose The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom if you own a Switch and prefer experimentation and puzzles.
If you want a long RPG
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the choice for cinematic spectacle and exploration, but play Remake first. Metaphor: ReFantazio is the better choice for a new fantasy setting and social-simulation structure. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is for emergent open-world systems rather than a tightly controlled story. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is best for players who enjoy a large cast, turn-based combat, and an extensive series history.
If you want something unusual
Try Balatro for poker-inspired deck-building, Animal Well for opaque environmental discovery, Thank Goodness You’re Here! for a compact comic experience, or UFO 50 for a broad collection of deliberately retro-styled games. These are useful alternatives to a calendar dominated by sequels and licensed blockbusters.
If you dislike unfinished or online-dependent games
Prioritize complete single-player releases such as Astro Bot, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Silent Hill 2, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Animal Well, or Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Treat Hades II, Manor Lords, and Path of Exile 2 as ongoing Early Access products, and avoid Helldivers 2, Concord, or other live-service games if you want a purchase that does not depend on servers and continuing updates. Concord is an especially important retrospective edge case: it technically launched in 2024, but its later delisting and shutdown make it unsuitable for a simple current-buying guide.
What makes a 2024 release guide reliable?
A good calendar needs more than a long list. The useful questions are whether the date was confirmed, whether the game was complete, whether it was new or a remake, and whether the stated platform was the launch platform or a later port.
Large calendars such as those from Game Informer and GameSpot are valuable for breadth. Preview coverage from GamesRadar helps explain why games mattered before launch, while its retrospective separates full games from expansions and Early Access. That separation is important because a preview can measure anticipation, but only a retrospective can discuss the finished product.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchReview scores are useful evidence, but they do not capture price, accessibility, campaign length, microtransactions, performance on an individual platform, online requirements, Early Access risk, or server shutdowns. A recommendation should say who should play a game and who should wait or skip it.
Bottom line
2024 was not defined by one type of game. Astro Bot is the strongest all-purpose recommendation and the year’s Game Awards winner; Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Metaphor: ReFantazio lead the RPG field; Helldivers 2 is the standout co-op choice; Balatro is the most flexible indie recommendation; Silent Hill 2 is the major horror pick; and Echoes of Wisdom gave Switch owners a distinctive Zelda adventure.
Before buying, check the label. Shadow of the Erdtree is an expansion, Silent Hill 2 and Paper Mario are remakes, Hades II and Manor Lords were Early Access, and several highly anticipated games moved into 2025. That distinction is what turns a release calendar into a useful guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the best video game released in 2024?
Astro Bot is the strongest broad recommendation. It earned a 94 Metacritic score and won The Game Awards’ 2024 Game of the Year. The best choice still depends on taste: Balatro is better for strategy and short sessions, Helldivers 2 for online co-op, and Metaphor: ReFantazio for a new long-form RPG.
Was Hades II a full release in 2024?
No. Hades II entered Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store on May 6, 2024. Supergiant said the game would continue to develop and that its true ending was not yet available. It was playable and highly regarded, but it should not be described as a completed 1.0 release.
Is Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree a new game?
No. It is a major expansion that requires the original Elden Ring. It adds new areas, enemies, story content, equipment, and progression, so it belongs among the most important 2024 releases, but not among new standalone games.
Which major games expected in 2024 were delayed?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Avowed, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II were prominent 2024 expectations that moved into 2025. Older preview material also attached 2024 windows to games such as The Wolf Among Us 2, Judas, Marathon, and Crimson Desert; an old target year should not be treated as a confirmed release.
What are the best 2024 games for someone with limited time?
Balatro is the best fit for short, repeatable sessions. Animal Well, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II are more focused than a massive RPG. For a single polished game on PS5, Astro Bot is the safest starting point.
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The Bottom Line
The best new games of 2024 were Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Balatro, Helldivers 2, Black Myth: Wukong, Silent Hill 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Use the labels before the dates: expansions, remakes, ports, live-service launches, and Early Access products offer different value and different risks. The best shortlist is the one that matches your platform, available time, preferred genre, and tolerance for unfinished or online-dependent games.
Quick Recap
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